Former U.S. Senator Dead At 88

Former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl died on Wednesday at the age of 88.

Kohl was a Democrat U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and served 14 years in office.

Four years before taking office, Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million, and in 2014, he sold the NBA franchise for $550 million.

In a statement, Herb, Kohl Philanthropies wrote, “He touched an incalculable number of lives, and those who love him would remark that he is among the most decent people to ever walk the earth.”

Kohl made most of his wealth from being the founder of the Kohl’s department stores chain.

My statement on the passing of Senator Herb Kohl ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/adVKc3SULe

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) December 28, 2023

Here’s what Fox News reported:

Herb Kohl, a former U.S. senator and former owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, has died, his philanthropic company announced Wednesday. He was 88.

Kohl was a Democrat senator from Wisconsin and served in office from 1989 to 2013. He purchased the Bucks in 1985 for $18 million and sold it in 2014 to Wes Edens and Marc Lasry for $550 million.

“More than anything, Herb loved Milwaukee and Wisconsin, and that is where he chose to live out his days,” Herb Khol Philanthropies said in a statement. “He touched an incalculable number of lives, and those who love him would remark that he is among the most decent people to ever walk the earth.”

As owner of the Bucks, Kohl oversaw several playoff teams, but the organization never got to taste the NBA Finals. NBA greats like Vin Baker, Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Gary Payton and Andrew Bogut played during Kohl’s era.

Kohl got into politics in the 1970s when he served as the chair of the state Democratic Party from 1975 to 1977. He was the chair of the Special Committee on Aging and was the vice chairman on the Committee on the Judiciary. He won four elections during his career as a politician.

Sen Herb Kohl of Wisconsin passed away recently. He was always a gentleman, respectful and so kind to me as a junior senator. Bill Nelson

— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) December 28, 2023

When the Bucks won the NBA championship in 2021, Kohl was awarded a championship ring:

Herb Kohl was one of the most important figures in Wisconsin history—as a politician, philanthropist & as a sports fan & owner. He loved his @Bucks & they wouldn’t be here without him. I’m glad he got to see them win & witness a parade he made possible.

pic.twitter.com/Qau09afq3V

— Stephen Watson (@SWatsonTV) December 28, 2023

Per ESPN:

Herb Kohl, a former Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin and former owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, has died. He was 88.

His death Wednesday was announced by Herb Kohl Philanthropies, which did not give a cause but said he died after a brief illness.

Kohl was a popular figure in Wisconsin, purchasing the Bucks in 1985 for $18 million to keep them from leaving town, and spending generously from his fortune on civic and educational causes throughout the state.

“Senator Kohl was a dear friend and one of our very best public servants,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “In addition to his decades of devoted service in the U.S. Senate, he set the standard for NBA team ownership as the governor of his hometown Milwaukee Bucks for nearly 30 years.